Platoon

Inspired by his own experiences in Vietnam, Oliver Stone's 1986 drama captures a grunt's-eye view of the conflict as seen through the eyes of Chris (Charlie Sheen), a young recruit tossed into a guerilla war he's neither prepared for nor able to comprehend. The potent cinematic re-creations of military life and the tropical atmosphere (including night marches through the jungle as unseen Viet Cong attack) sent vets into flashbacks in theaters, and the film helped frame the post-war public discussion on soldiers' experiences. But even with such scenes as a restaging of the My Lai massacre, Stone downplays the politics to focus on an almost mythic struggle for Chris' soul by two potential father figures: the moral free-spirited Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe), and brutal sadist Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger). The top-notch cast also includes Forest Whitaker, John C. McGinley, Kevin Dillon, Keith David, and Johnny Depp as fellow comrades in arms. Both a critical and popular hit, Platoon won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and remains one of the defining movies about the Vietnam experience. Marking the film's 25th anniversary, this Blu-ray debut features a wealth of supplements from previous DVD releases, including audio commentaries (one by Stone; the other by military advisor Dale Dye), Vietnam War-related documentaries and behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes. Also included is a bonus DVD, making this a cost-effective two-fer for circulating collections. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)